Device for removing or placing transformer fuse-plugs.



DEVICE FOR REMOVING 0R PLACING TRANSFORMER FUSE PLUGS. APPLlcATJYQN r'lLED ocT.4. 1912.

1,172,131. e Peeented Feb.15,1916.

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Louis v. GAFFNEY, or Garn-Nur", soU'frH CAROLINA.

DEVICE FOR REMOVING OR PLACING TRANSFORMER FUSE-PLUGS.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented rieb. 15, 191e.

Application filed October 4, 1912'.` Serial No. 723,928.

To all whom t may concern Beit known Ythat I, Louis V. GAFFNEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Gaffney, inA the county of Cherokee and' State of South Carolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in Devices for Removing or Placing Transformer Fuse- Plugs, of which the following is a specification.

Yor placing the plugs in the transformer box.

Furthermore, the operator in an endeavor to remove or place the plug by grasping the same is subjected to the danger of a shock or shocks from the conductors in proximity to the transformer.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a device whereby transformer plugs may be removed or placed in their box while the operator is remote from the same, and without danger of shocks; to provide a device which has few projecting parts for successfully grasping and holding the plugs, thus enabling the same to be placed or removed regardless of the wires or conductors in proximity to the transformers; and, in

general, to provide a device which is simple in construction, efficient in action, and easy to manipulate.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during the continuance of the following description.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the device in use. Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the gripping mechanism. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 2, the tension spring being removed to disclose details of construction.

In the drawings, where similar characters refer to similar parts, 1 designates a trans* former box which is usually rigidly carried by a cross-bar of a pole 3. The transformer plug 4, which is inserted into box 1, is usually provided with a fianged lower end 5 depending from a flaring protector 6, and it 1s by grasping the plug portion between this flange and protector that the same may be' inserted into or removed from the box.

The device for gripping the plug is mounted upon the pole 7, of non-conducting material, preferably constructed so that its length may be altered, and comprises an arm S rigid with the pole and having a aw 9 for embracing the part of the plug above the flange thereof. A second arm 10, having a jaw 11 complementing jaw 9, is mounted to permit of movement of jaw 11 toward or from jaw 9. This may be accomplished by pivoting the arm l0 to rod 7, as at 12, preferably to one side of the axis of the pole so that the path of movement of jaw 1l toward the axis of the plug is not directly downwardly and outwardly, but more outwardly and then downwardly so as not to come in contact with the flange of the plug when the same is left in the box.

A tension spring 13 is interposed between the two arms 8 and 10 respectively so as to retain the end portions of the jaws 9 and 11 respectively in engagement. In view of the fact that each of the jaws forms a complete semi-circle, it will be noted that when the ends thereof are in engagement, a. complete annulus is formed. 1Vith this construction, the shank of the fuse plug will not be frictionally engaged by the inner face of the jaws 9 and 11 whereby the said jaws are free to turn on the shank in a desired manner. In the event that after the plug has been moved into place, and the operator finds that the adjacent conducting wires are so close that the removal of the jaws would effect a short circuit, the handle 7 may be properly manipulated to move the jaws on the shank of the fuse plug so that the arms 8 and 10 assume a di'erent position whereby they may be conveniently operated. Another feature in having the ends of the jaws 9 and 11 in engagement is that a complete annulus is formed, the lower edge of which rests upon the upper fiat face of the head 5 of the fuse plug so that when the handle 7 is drawn downwardly the pressure on the plug will be evenly distributed. It has been found that the fuse plugs adhere in their respective sockets to some extent, whereby at times their removal is greatly impeded. However as the pull is directed downwardly on the jaws 9 and 11 there will be practically no pressure against the tension of the spring 13 when the plug is being removed. Furthermore after the plug is removed the improved jaws. will serve to eiiiciently support the sam-e and prevent its accidental dislodgment during the lowering operation. course it will be understood that the pole 7 could not be drawn directly downward but the upper end would have to be moved in the arc of a circle consequently throwing the strain exerted by the weight of the plug directly on to the adjacent ends of the jaws. When this operation occurs the spring 13 holding the jaws in engagement with each other will obviate all danger of jerking the pluO. A cable ld of non-conducting material is attached to arm l0, such as by lug l5, so that the said arm may be oscillated when desired.

From the foregoing it is made manifest thatl I provide a device for removing or placing plugs of transformers,- which is sim ple in construction and one that may be Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of to face the4 axis of said handled without danger of grounding or short circuiting conductors.

I claim:

In a device for removing or placing a transformer fuse plug7 the combination of a pole, a comparatively narrow fixed arm having an arcuate jaw disposed at its upper' end pole and carried thereby, a second relatively narrow arcuate arm having an arcuate jaw complemental to said first mentioned arcuate jaw, said second arm being pivotally carried by said pole, a contraction spring interposed between said relatively narrow arms and having its end portions connected therewith to normally hold said arcuate jaws in abutting relation to form an annulus, and means facilitating the movement of said pivoted jaw against actuation of said spring.

LOUIS V. GAFFNEY. Witnesses z J. W. GEORGE, H. H. Loom-raar.

Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

